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Funded Retirement and Insurance Committee Minutes May 6, 2011, 11:30 am 302 USB Funded Retirement and Insurance Committee (FRIC) Meeting
Meeting was called to order at 11:30 am in 302 USB.
Members in attendance: Nancy Davin, Matthew Glasson, George Herbert, Daniel Katz, Sheldon Kurtz, Heather Schnoebelen, Victoria Sharp, Bernard Sorofman, Anand Vijh, Lynn Vining, Dagong Wang, Michael Wichman
Members absent: Jon Garfinkel, Katherine Tachau
Administrative Officers present: Sue Buckley, Richard Saunders
Guests present: Rick Borchard, Carol Fethke, Amber Goedken, Suzanne Hilleman, Julie Sexton, Joni Troester
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Committee members, administration representatives and guests introduced themselves.
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It was recognized that this was the last meeting for George Herbert as he has completed his term on the committee. Thanks and appreciation was expressed from all to George for his many years of service.
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Minutes from the April 7, 2011 meeting were approved with no corrections.
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The committee discussed wig coverage and whether wigs should be included as part of the insurance package available to employees. Richard Saunders provided the group with information from Wellmark regarding wig coverage. Wigs would fall under durable medical equipment and the UI cost would be 80% (not to exceed $800), the employee cost would be 20%. There were approximately 195 people that would qualify for wigs over each of the last two years. This number is an estimate based on the current definition of having hair loss due to chemotherapy treatment for cancer. There would be a limit of 1 wig per twelve months. Using this estimate this would equate to approximately $1.50 a month increase of premiums if wigs are added as covered.
The committee reached consensus that wigs should be covered as part of the UI health plans. However, much discussion existed surrounding the appropriate parameters of coverage. This included limiting the total dollar amount of a wig, the timeframe/longevity of wig replacement, what medical conditions need to exist before a wig will be covered. A motion was made and passed with one dissenting vote to cover wigs 80% cost to UI (not to exceed $800), 20% cost to employee and a limit of one wig twelve months.
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Richard Saunders spoke to the committee about double insurance coverage for UI employees. Under the new flexible benefits system those employees who have a spouse who is covered on a state health insurance plan do not receive the $200 credit if they do not take the University health insurance. What has happened is that those employees are on a state health insurance plan with their spouse and also choosing to take a free single health insurance plan through the flexible benefits system and thus are double health insurance covered. Currently there are 41 employees on campus in that situation and they will be informed at open enrollment this fall that they can only be insured once by the University of Iowa.
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The committee discussed expanded pharmacy coverage to include items such as prescribed vitamins. This was an issue that the committee discussed earlier in the year and the group determined that more data was needed regarding the medical conditions and drugs that might be prescribed to treat those conditions. Dan will collect data and bring more information to the group and Richard will talk with Wellmark for information. The committee will discuss this further at the September meeting.
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Health insurance plans for 2012 were discussed briefly; the same two plans will be offered in January 2012. The committee also needs to review and discuss further the information regarding alternative medicine that was presented in April; more discussion on this topic will take place at a fall meeting.
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There is no new information regarding the general and opt out credits for the flexible benefits system. Data regarding the effectiveness of the credits will be available for discussion at the February 2012 meeting.
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The committee discussed possible topics and additional agenda items for meetings starting in September. Those items included:
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Customer service at UIHC
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Chip II declining enrollment
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Out of state care and the coverage under the current health plans
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Co-payments and co-insurance under the current health plans
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Richard shared that he had heard nothing further regarding the proposed increase to long term care insurance rates.
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It was suggested that the mass email that will be sent in June regarding the TIAA/CREF restoration to 10% include a message regarding the renewal of the phased retirement program.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm
Recorder: Heather Schnoebelen